Comparative Clinical Study on Magnesium Absorption and Side Effects After Oral Intake of Microencapsulated Magnesium (MAGSHAPE TM Microcapsules) Versus Other Magnesium Sources.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual double-blind randomized crossover clinical trial
PubMed 39770988 · doi:10.3390/nu16244367
What was done
In a double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical study, 40 healthy men and women were placed on a low-magnesium diet for 7 days. Following an 8-hour fast, participants ingested single doses of microencapsulated magnesium (MAGSHAPE microcapsules), magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, or magnesium bisglycinate. Blood samples were collected via digital puncture at baseline (0 hours) and at 1, 4, and 6 hours post-ingestion to measure plasma magnesium levels and assess adverse gastrointestinal symptoms.
What was found
Plasma magnesium increased significantly at all measured time points (1, 4, and 6 hours) following intake of the microencapsulated formulation. Magnesium oxide showed significant increases only at 1 hour, magnesium citrate only at 4 hours, and magnesium bisglycinate produced no significant increase. Microencapsulated magnesium demonstrated significantly greater bioavailability over the 6-hour window compared to non-encapsulated magnesium oxide. It also resulted in fewer reported side effects, specifically increased intestinal motility and gastric heaviness, relative to the comparator forms. The abstract reports no exact numerical concentrations, effect sizes, or p-values.
Why it matters
Microencapsulation provides a delivery mechanism that achieves sustained blood magnesium concentrations while minimizing common gastrointestinal side effects associated with conventional oral magnesium supplements.
Limits
The trial had a small sample size (n = 40) restricted to healthy volunteers. Blood sampling was limited to capillary digital puncture over a short 6-hour window rather than full venous pharmacokinetic or 24-hour urinary excretion tracking. Exact dosages, formulation details, and numeric data for plasma concentrations and side-effect incidence were not reported in the abstract.
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